Chapter 5 — Lessons of Fire and Steel
The wind of Mondstadt never truly stopped.
Even at dawn, when most of the city still slept, the breeze flowed gently through the streets and carried the scent of dandelions across the fields beyond the walls.
For Aiden, dawn had become the start of something new.
Training.
Real training.
Not the quiet practice he had done alone with a wooden spear.
Not the awkward sparring he had attempted before.
Now his instructor stood in front of him.
And she was terrifying.
His mother planted her spear into the ground and crossed her arms.
"You're slow."
Aiden sighed.
"…We started five minutes ago."
"That's enough time to see your mistakes."
They stood on a small grassy clearing outside Mondstadt, far enough from the gates that curious adventurers wouldn't interrupt them.
The morning sun painted the hills in gold.
Perfect weather for training.
Unfortunately for Aiden, his mother clearly had no intention of making things easy.
She picked up her spear and pointed it toward him.
"Again."
Aiden adjusted his stance.
He inhaled slowly and moved forward.
The spear shot forward in a precise thrust aimed at her shoulder.
She stepped aside effortlessly.
Her spear flicked out and tapped his ribs.
"Too direct."
Aiden spun the spear and tried another attack.
This time he aimed lower.
She blocked.
Then twisted the shaft of her spear.
The sudden force knocked his weapon aside.
"Too predictable."
Aiden groaned.
"You've said that three times."
"And you've made the same mistake three times."
She stepped closer.
"Your body is strong. Your balance is good."
She tapped his forehead lightly.
"But your mind hesitates."
Aiden frowned.
"I'm analyzing."
"You're overthinking."
She lifted her spear.
"In real fights, hesitation gets you killed."
Before Aiden could reply—
She attacked.
Fast.
The spear shot toward his chest.
Aiden barely managed to block.
The impact vibrated through his arms.
His mother's strength was ridiculous.
She stepped forward again.
Strike.
Block.
Strike.
Block.
Aiden stumbled backward across the grass as she forced him to defend.
"Move!"
Aiden rolled sideways just as her spear struck the ground where he had been standing.
Dirt scattered.
He scrambled back to his feet.
"That was unfair!"
"You said you wanted to get stronger."
She attacked again.
This time Aiden reacted differently.
Instead of blocking—
He stepped forward.
The sudden movement surprised her just enough for his spear to slip past her guard.
The wooden tip stopped inches from her shoulder.
Both of them froze.
Aiden blinked.
"…Did I win?"
She stared at the spear tip.
Then laughed.
"Not bad."
She gently pushed the spear aside.
"But don't celebrate yet."
She tapped his chest.
"You only landed that because I was testing you."
Aiden sighed.
"Of course."
Still…
Landing a hit on her felt like a victory.
His mother leaned the spear against her shoulder.
"You're improving."
She glanced toward the distant forests near Wolvendom.
"But skill alone isn't enough."
Aiden followed her gaze.
"Monsters?"
"Always."
For a moment the two of them stood quietly.
Then she spoke again.
"You fought hilichurls alone recently."
Aiden scratched his cheek.
"…News travels fast."
"Diluc mentioned it."
That didn't surprise him.
Diluc seemed to notice everything happening around Mondstadt.
His mother rested the spear on the ground.
"You handled them well."
"But three hilichurls aren't impressive."
Aiden chuckled.
"I'll keep that in mind."
Suddenly—
A distant howl echoed across the plains.
Both of them froze.
That sound didn't belong to a hilichurl.
His mother's expression sharpened instantly.
"Wolves."
Wolvendom wasn't far from here.
And sometimes the wild creatures wandered closer to the city.
Aiden tightened his grip on the spear.
From the tall grass beyond the clearing, three large wolves emerged slowly.
Their eyes glowed faintly.
The creatures circled carefully.
Aiden exhaled slowly.
"…Guess today's lesson just got practical."
His mother didn't move.
Instead she stepped slightly backward.
"You handle it."
Aiden blinked.
"You're serious?"
She crossed her arms.
"I'll step in if you die."
"That's comforting."
The first wolf lunged.
Aiden moved instantly.
The spear thrust forward.
The wooden shaft struck the wolf's shoulder and pushed it back.
Another wolf attacked from the side.
Aiden spun the spear in a wide arc.
The sweeping strike forced the creature away.
The third wolf circled behind him.
Aiden stepped back carefully, keeping all three in front of him.
His mother watched silently.
No help.
No advice.
This was his fight.
The first wolf lunged again.
This time Aiden sidestepped and struck downward.
The spear slammed into the ground beside the creature's paw.
The sudden impact startled it.
Aiden kicked forward.
The wolf tumbled backward.
The other two hesitated.
Animals.
They could sense confidence.
Aiden stood straight and leveled the spear.
"Come on."
The wolves growled but slowly backed away.
Within seconds they disappeared into the grass.
The clearing fell silent again.
Aiden lowered the spear.
His mother nodded once.
"Good."
Aiden wiped sweat from his forehead.
"That was stressful."
"You stayed calm."
She picked up her spear.
"That matters more than strength."
They began walking back toward the city.
After a moment she spoke again.
"You'll become strong."
Aiden tilted his head.
"You sound confident."
She looked at him with a faint smile.
"Because I can see it."
He raised an eyebrow.
"See what?"
She shrugged.
"The fire in you."
Aiden chuckled.
"…That sounds dramatic."
"Maybe."
They reached the gates of Mondstadt.
The windmills turned lazily above the rooftops.
Angel's Share waited inside the city like always.
For now, Aiden's life remained simple.
Training.
Working at the tavern.
Listening to stories from travelers.
But something inside him knew the truth.
This peaceful routine was only temporary.
Someday he would leave Mondstadt.
Someday he would travel across Teyvat.
And when that day came—
He intended to be ready.